Who ever said that the intellectual mind is incompatible with artistic expression? Certainly not this Togolese musician, defender of Afrikan (with a “k”) rock! English teacher by day, musician by night, Guy MAPOKO has many other sides to him besides his incredibly deep, rugged voice. Sporting his black leather jacket, this bad boy of rock and blues covers legends like Johnny Halliday and Elvis Presley African-style, incorporating an astonishing array of percussion instruments, including the djembe, congas, cajón, calabash and talking drum. 

Having already learned to play guitar and piano in his tender youth, Guy Mapoko sets the table for a formal RockAfrika ceremony that serves the whole being – in its anguish and its rapture. Deep in his cavernous voice there burns a passion for Western reggae and pop.